Comparative Morphology of the Osteocranium in Three Species of the Genus with a Note on its Utility in Taxonomy (Ariidae: Siluriformes)

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It is a well known assertion that for any phylogenetic interpretation, especially of the vertebrate phyla, the organization of the basic structural pattern and anatomical features are the essential base. From Agassizâ€™s time (1857) the internal skeletal structure and the associated modifications as reflected in the external morphology have been utilized for classifying the families and the genera of fishes. One of the reasons for depending upon the basic skeletal structure, perhaps lies in the consistency of various bones in the particular taxa. Absence or presence of major bone elements, extent of fusion of different bones and also the nature of their interdigitations have all been used as indicators of the taxonomic status of various taxa. The fishes belonging to the family Ariidae have attracted the attention of several workers from an osteological viewpoint (Bhimachar, 1933; Shelden, 1937; Berg, 1947; Bamford, 1948; Berrill, 1950; Karandikar and Masurekar, 1954; Tolentino and Clement, 1958; Srinivasachar, 1958; Bubbs and Miller, 1960; Tilak, 1965; Alexander, 1966; McAllister, 1968; Lenous, 1968). Tilak (1965) published a comparative morphology of the osteocranium and the Weberian apparatus of 14 species of the family Ariidae (=Tachysuridae). Still further information is required so as to have a comprehensive account of the comparative morphology of the osteocranium in various species of the genus Arius.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR K C Jayaram

Dr. K.C. Jayaram, former joint director, Zoological Survey of India has been active in freshwater fish taxonomy and Zoogeography since 1947. He has covered many river systems for their fish fauna such as Brahmputra, Cauvery, Krishna and Mahanadi through intensive surveys. His work on the Cauvery fish Fauna is a comprehensive first-time account of the fish fauna of the entire river system. This work served as the basis for an integrated research programme on the same river funded by the ministry of Environment and Forests. Eleven post-graduate colleges and six Universities participated in this three year programme. Dr. Jayaram was the director of this project and results are under publication under his executive editorship. He is a member of many scientific committees and his advice is sought after in biodiversity, river ecology matters specially in respect of the fish fauna. He is a D.Sc. of Madras University and a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, Allahabad, Zoological Society of India, Bhubaneshwar and Madras Science Foundation, Chennai. He was awarded the prestigious Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellowship by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and is currently studying the eco-status of the Deccan Mahseer fishes. He has trained and guided a number of students who occupy important positions. He has to his credit about 120 papers including several monographs published in India and abroad. His earlier book on the same subject was universally acclaimed and ran out of print fast. He is considered on of the leading authorities on the freshwater fish fauna of the Indian region.